Beta Blockers Drug Information

Annette (Gbemudu) Ogbru, PharmD, MBA

Dr. Gbemudu received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Nova Southeastern University, her PharmD degree from University of Maryland, and MBA degree from University of Baltimore. She completed a one year post-doctoral fellowship with Rutgers University and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

What are beta blockers and how do they work?

Beta blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are a class of
drugs that works by blocking the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and
epinephrine from binding to receptors. There are three known types of beta
receptors, known as beta1 (β1), beta2 (β2)
and beta3 (β3).

β1-adrenergic receptors are located commonly in the
heart and kidneys.

When the
neurotransmitters are prevented from binding to the receptors, it in turn causes
the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) to be blocked. This action allows the
heart to relax and beat more slowly thereby reducing the amount of blood that
the heart must pump. Over time, this action improves the pumping mechanism of the
heart.